The Classification of the Reasons not to Help Friends in Trouble: An examination from the moral judgment level

DOI HANDLE Web Site Open Access

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 葛藤場面における「困窮者を援助しない」理由分類の試み : 道徳判断水準からの検討
  • カットウ バメン ニオケル コンキュウシャ ヲ シエン シナイ リユウ ブンルイ ノ ココロミ ドウトクテキ ハンダン スイジュン カラ ノ ケントウ
  • カットウ バメン ニ オケル 「 コンキュウシャ オ エンジョ シナイ 」 リユウ ブンルイ ノ ココロミ : ドウトク ハンダン スイジュン カラ ノ ケントウ

Search this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to classify reasons for not off ering help in certain situations according to moral judgment level. Fourth (n=83) and sixth grade students (n=89) in an elementary school as well as and undergraduates (n=90) were administered a questionnaire. The students were asked questions about three stories presenting a moral dilemma, and they had to state why they should not help a friend in trouble. The responses then were classifi ed according to moral judgment level (Eisenberg, 1979). As previous studies suggested, fi ve moral judgment levels were confi rmed in this study. Most of the answers were grouped into level 4. The responses for this level were few “sympathy” but almost “perspective taking.” Some of the participants believed that “helping can give displeasure in some cases.” Few responses were classifi ed as levels 1 and 2. Regarding level 3, the answers were stereotypical, for example, “not helping is good” and “off ering help is not suitable”. Moreover, only undergraduate students gave level 5 answers, for example, the norm about the aptness of helping or respect the others’ intentions. In general, the number of subjects indicating a higher level of moral judgment tended to increase with age. However, no clear age diff erences were found in this study. These results show that the reasons for not helping may include pro-social moral judgment.

Journal

  • 大阪大学教育学年報

    大阪大学教育学年報 18 21-36, 2013-03-31

    Department of Education, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

Related Projects

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top